Hidden | YEONGYU/BEOMJUN

04

Yeonjun's heart clenched as he cupped Beomgyu's face, wiping the tears gently with his thumbs. "You're not."

Beomgyu's eyes squeezed shut, more tears slipping out as he leaned into Yeonjun's touch.

"We all come into phases like this," Yeonjun whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Beomgyu's forehead. "I know it's scary."

Beomgyu let out a shaky breath, pressing his forehead against Yeonjun's, their noses brushing.

"I just—I really love you, hyung," Beomgyu whispered, voice trembling. "So much that I want to tell the world. But I'm scared. What if they hate me? What if I ruin everything?"

Yeonjun closed his eyes, pressing a kiss to Beomgyu's temple. "You won't. But I get it, love. Take your time."

They sat there in silence, their hands intertwined, the room filled with the soft hum of the fridge, the world outside moving on while they stayed in their small moment.

Yeonjun smiled, pulling back slightly to look at Beomgyu, their faces close. "I just hope that one day, you won't be afraid to show me as your boyfriend."

Beomgyu looked at him, eyes still wet, but a small, determined smile tugged at his lips.

"I will," Beomgyu whispered.

They leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to each other's lips, tasting the promise in each other's breath.

Minutes later, Beomgyu glanced at the clock, eyes widening. "Shit. I forgot I have parents."

Yeonjun laughed softly, ruffling Beomgyu's hair. "Go before they think I kidnapped you."

Beomgyu pouted, leaning forward to steal one last kiss before standing up, grabbing his shoes by the door.

Yeonjun stood behind him, wrapping his arms around Beomgyu's waist, pressing a kiss to his nape. "Come by tomorrow."

Beomgyu turned his head, pressing a quick kiss to Yeonjun's cheek. "Only if you promise to stop looking like a mess when you open the door."

Yeonjun chuckled. "No promises."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, slipping out the door, waving at Yeonjun before jogging back across the street.

When he opened the front door, his father was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow.

"What took you so long?" his father asked, his voice calm but firm.

Beomgyu shrugged, looking away. "Yeonjun hyung offered me coffee."

"Are you getting along with him now?" his father asked, the corner of his lips twitching.

Beomgyu scowled, rolling his eyes. "Never."

His father let out a small chuckle, shaking his head as Beomgyu stomped past him, heading straight for his room.

Beomgyu closed the door behind him, letting out a long breath as he threw himself onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

His mind replayed Yeonjun's words, the softness in his eyes, the way he said "As long as I'm not being denied."

He loved Yeonjun.

He loved him so much that he felt like he could scream it to the world, could paint it on the walls of every building, could tell every single person who passed him on the street—

But his chest tightened, fear gripping his throat, the image of his parents' faces clouding his mind.

Would they hate him?

Would they look at him differently?

Would he lose everything?

Beomgyu turned to bury his face in his pillow, letting out a small, muffled sob, his fingers clutching the fabric tightly.

He loved Yeonjun.

He loved him so much that it hurt.

And he wanted to tell the world.

He just didn't know how to not be scared yet.

But as he lay there, the taste of Yeonjun's coffee and kisses still lingering, his phone buzzed quietly on his bedside table.

Yeonjun: Got home safe?

Beomgyu sniffled, wiping his eyes before grabbing his phone.

Beomgyu: Yeah.

Yeonjun: I love you.

Beomgyu smiled softly, a tear slipping down his cheek as he typed back.

Beomgyu: I love you too. So much.

And as he pressed send, staring at the ceiling, Beomgyu let himself believe, just for a moment, that maybe one day he would be brave enough to tell the world about Yeonjun.

And maybe, just maybe, everything would be okay.